340 
TRAVELS ON THE RTO NEGRO. 
\Novemher 
ing profusely^ and, the succeeding day, was able to 
move about, and had a little appetite. The weakness 
and fever however increased, till I was again confined 
to my rede, — could eat nothing, and was so torpid and 
helpless, that Senhor L., who attended me, did not ex- 
pect me to live. I could not speak intelligibly, and had 
not strength to write, or even to turn over in my ham- 
mock. A few days after this, I was attacked with 
severe ague, which recurred every two days. I took 
quinine for some time without any apparent effect, till, 
after nearly a fortnight, the fits ceased, and I only suf- 
fered from extreme emaciation and weakness. In a few 
days, however, the fits of ague returned, and now came 
every day. Their visits, thus frequent, were by no 
means agreeable ; as, what with the succeeding fever and 
perspiration, which lasted from before noon till night, I 
had little quiet repose. In this state I remained till the ; 
beginning of February, the ague continuing, but with 
diminished force ; and though with an increasing appe- 
tite, and eating heartily, yet gaining so little strength, 
that I could with difficulty stand alone, or walk across 
the room with the assistance of two sticks. The ague, 
however, now left me, and in another week, as I couldt 
walk with a stick down to the river-side, I went to Sao 
Gabriel, to see Mr. Spruce, who had arrived there, an(l 
had kindly been to see me a short time before. I pur- 
chased some wine and biscuits of the CommandanteJ^- 
and then returned to Sao Joaquim, determined, though . ^ 
the wet season was now again beginning, to set off for 
the Upper Uaupes, as soon as I could procure men, and 
get my canoe ready. 
I 
